Switch terminal



Dec. 29, 1931. w. R. HUTTINGER 1,839,100

SWI TCH TERMI NAL Filed July 14, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 .,5 I I I I A i II I I; g H I I @WWM Dec. 29, 1931'.

w; R. 'HUTTINGER SWITCH TERMINAL Filed July 14, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet aw a Dec. 29, 1931. MR. HUTHNGER 1,839,100

SWITCH TERMINAL Filed July 14, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet Patented Dec. 29, 1931 i WILLIAM R. HUTTINGEB, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA SWITCH TERMINAL Application filed July 14, 1928. Serial No. 292,840.

My invention relates to switches, and it has for one object the provision of a terminal which shall be characterized by its simplicit of design, ease ofconstruction and desirable operating characteristics.

Heretoforewhenthe jaws of a switch terminal were out of alignment with a co-acting switch member, a greater pressure would be exerted on one of the jaws than the other, with the result that good contact would be obtained with one aw and poor contact, if any at, all, with the other ,j awf' Another object of my invention, therefore, is to provide a switch terminal which overcomes this difiiculty, my invention contemplating a construction, wherein the switch jaws are movable bodily as a unit into desired alignment with thebo-acting switch member.

A further object of my invention is to provide a switch, wherein the jaws are movable relatively as well as bodily'as a unit, thereby assuring the proper engagement of the aws with a co-acting contact member for a max- 7 V imum disalignment of these parts.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a switch terminal, wherein a resilient support is provided for the switch jaws, and wherein additional supporting.

"means is provided permitting the movement of the jaws and said resilient support as a unit. V V

A still further object of my invention is to rovide a switch terminal com risin a air P of jaws having contact surfaces and resilient means operative on said jaws tor maintaining said contact surfaces in engagement other than when the switch blade is interposed therebetween.

A still further object my invention is jaws, a co-acting switch element, resilient means operative on'said jaws, tension-ad bodily as aunitwhen out ofalignment with respect to the co-acting switch element.

. My invention, however, may best be understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein to provide a switch comprising a plurality of meanswhereby the jaws may be movable Fig, 1 is a side elevational view of a switch embodying my invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are detail, top plan and side elevational views, respectively, of the switch terminal shown in Fig. 1, the top portion of the housing being removed; i i I Fig. 4 is a detail, transverse sectional view showing the jaws in the position assumed when the switch is open; a

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but showing the position of the jaws when the switch isclosed; V Fig. 6 is a similar view, showingthe' position of the parts when the movable switch blade tends to engage the upper jaw with the greater force Fig. 7 is a similar View, showing theposition of the parts when the switchfiblade engages the lower jaw with thejg'reater force;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 1,but showing all-alternative. embodiment of myinventon;and V 7 Figs. 9 and'lO are top plan and side elevational views, respectively, of the (So-acting switch parts shown-in Fig. Swith the sleet housing removed. 5

In the illustrated embodiment qr y invention shown in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, a horizontal supporting beam 1, which may be mounted on the top of the transmission; line tower (not shown), provides, a rigid support for a stationary insulator stack :2 and a rotatable support for an actuating insulator stack 8, the latter being connected by linkage 4 to an ope-rating member 5. A hori- Z ontally-pos-itioned switch member 6 has an inner end 7 thereof secured by a bracket l member 8 to the top of the rotatable insulator stack-3, so that a free end 9 of the switch memberti may be movable into and out of engagement with contact surfaceportions 11 and 12 of switch jaws 13 and 1a, respectively. Heretofore, when the switch jaws .13. and 14 were out of alignment with the contact portion 9 of the movable switch element 6, one. of the jaws would be engaged withv a force greater than the other, with the result that good contact was made with only one of the aws of the switch terminal. These undesirable results are overcome in my illvention by so mounting the switch jaws 13 and 14 that they are not only relatively movable but also bodily adjustable as a unit, the latter adjustment being automatically eliected when the movable switch member engages one of the jaws with a force greater than the other, all as will presently appear in greater detail. Referring to Figs. 2 to 7 inclusive, upper and lower inte mediate side portions 15 and 16 of the switch jaws 13 and 14 are respectively provided with oppositelyextending lugs 17 and 18. End portions 19 and 21 of these lugs are of reduced diameter, forming supporting shoulders 22 and 23 for free end portions of spring strips 24 and 25 which are respectively provided with apertures 26 and 27 for the end portions 19 and 21.

The spring strips 24 and 25 are extended lengthwise of the contact members 13 and 14 beyond inner end portions 28 and 29 thereof and are bolted to upper and lower sides 31 and 32 of a supporting block 33. The spring strips 24 and 25 have sufiicient force to maintain the contact surfaces 11 and 12 in engagement, as shown in Fig. 4, other than when the movable switch member is interposed therebetween. An advantage of maintaining the contact surface portions 11 and 12 in engagement is that dust and dirt is prevented from accumulating therebetween. It is also noted that the apertures 26 and 27 in the free end portions of the springs 24 and 25 are relatively large compared with the dimensions of the end projections 19 and 21, thereby affording the jaws 13 and 14 a full-floating mounting intermediate the ends thereof and assuring the automatic selfaligning of the same with the upper and lower sides of the switch member 6 for the length of the contact surfaces thereof.

The tension of the springs 24 and 25 may be adjusted by means of a single bolt 34 which extends through intermediate portions 35 and 36 of the upper and lower springs 24 and 25, respectively. An upper end portion 37 of the bolt 34 is provided with a head 38 which rests on the upper side of the spring strip 24. An opposite end portion 39 of the bolt 34 extends beyond the underside of the spring strip 25 and it is provided with a threaded portion for a nut 41 and a lock nut 42. Adjustment of the tension of the spring strips 24 and 25 on the jaws 13 and 14, therefore, may be effected by turning the nut 41.

The bolt 34 further serves as a guide for the rear end portions 28 and 29 of the switch jaws 13 and 14 when the latter are separated by the movement of the switch member 6 therebetween, these jaw portions being provided with apertures 43 and 44, respectively.

The apertures are extended transversely of the bolt 34 so that a slight horizontal pivotal movement of the jaws 13 and 14 about the lugs 22 and 23 may occur. Since the end projections 19 and 21 of the lugs 22 and 23 are loosely mounted on the springs 24 and 25 and since the apertures 43 and 44 are elongated, the jaws 13 and 14 may turn slightly about the longitudinal axis thereof. The apertures 43 and 44 are also slightly enlarged axially of the jaws 13 and 14 to permit a small vertical tilting movement of the jaws 13 and 14.

In accordance with my invention, the bodily adjustment of the aws 13 and 14, as well as the springs 24 and 25 and the supporting block 33, as a unit, is effected by oli'setting the rear end portions 28 and 29 of the jaws to provide an open space 45 therebetween and by positioning therein a supporting cross bar 46. As shown in Fig. 4, the dimensions of the cross bar 46 are such that, with the jaw contacting surfaces 11 and 12 in engagement, an upper side 47 is slightly spaced from an underside 48 of the upper jaw portion 28, while a lower side 49 of the cross bar 46 is similarly spaced from an upper side 51 of the lower offset portion 29. A front side 52 is also positioned just rearwardly of vertical side portions 53 and 54 of the jaws 13 and 14. The bar 46 is also provided with an aperture 55 corresponding in dimensions with the apertures 43 and 44 in the offset portions 28 and 29 of the jaws. In this way, a loose mounting is afforded the tension bolt 34 and the jaws 13 and 14.

As shown in Fig. 2, a horizontal turning movement of the unit comprising the jaws 13 and 14 the springs 24 and 25, the block and the tension bolt 34, in one direction is prevented by a corner 56 of the vertical sides 53 and 54 engaging the vertical side 52 of the supporting bar 46. A similar movement in the opposite direction is prevented by a corner 57 of the sides 53 and 54 engaging the side 52 of the supporting bar 46. In actual practice, the movable unit may assume the position wherein the underside 48 of the oil'- set portion 28 directly rests on the upper side 47 of the cross bar 46, so that the weight of the movable unit is carried directly by the cross bar 46. Upper and lower flexible leads 58 and 59, which are secured to the upper and lower side portions 15 and 16 of the jaws 13 and 14, respectively, extend to an inner side 61 of one side wall 62 of a housing 63 and are secured in position by bolts 64. The flexible leads 58 and 59 constitute supplementary supporting means for the jaws 13 and 14 and may be sufiicient to maintain the movable unit in the position shown in Fig. 4.

The cross bar 46 secured at its ends by bolts 65 to lugs 66 extending inwardly from the opposite side walls 62, 62 of the housing 63. A bottom wall 67 of the housing 63 is mounted directly on a supporting bracket 68 carried on an upper end of the stationary inrssam'o sulator stack 2. The topside of the housing 63 may be covered by means of a removable plate 69. provided with an opening at its upper edge through which extends an externally-positioned conductor 70, an inner end portion 71 or" which is disposed between the side wall 62 and the flexible conductors 58 and 59. An outer portion 7 2 may be connected to a conductor in the usual manner. The housing 63 is provided with an opening 73 in its side walls 7 4, permitting the end portion 9 of the movable switch blade 6 to move into engagement with the jaws 13 and 14 of the stationary switch terminal.

In operation, assuming the switch aws 13 and 14 to be in proper alignment with the end portion 9 of the movable switch member 6, when the switch is closed, the jaws assume the position shown in Fig. 5, being separated against the force of the springs 24 and 25. It the tension of the springs 24 and 25 is insufficient, it is necessary only to turn the nut 41. Should the end portion 9 of the mov-- able switch member 6 be raised out of alignment with the switch jaws 13 and 14, in closing the switch, contact is first made with the upper jaw 13. This force automatically causes the upward movement of the jaws l3 and 14, as well as the springs 24 and 25, the supporting block 33 and the tension bolt 34, as a unit, into alignment with the switch member 6. The further closing of the switch merely serves to separate the switch jaws 13 and 14, the movable unit finally assumin the position shown in Fig. 6. As a result 0' such bodily movement of the jaws l3 and 14, the contact suriacesll and 12 respectively engage the upper and lower sides of the switch member 6 with equal force. It the end portion 9 of the movable switch member 6 is bent downwardly out of alignment with the jaws 13 and 14, the jaw 13 is first engaged, causing a bodily movement of the unit downwardly and the consequent alignment of the switch aws 13 and 14 with the switch member 6. The position or" the parts with the switch fully closed is now shown in Fig. 7.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 illustrate an alternative embodiment of my invention, wherein a pair of rotating insulator stacks 75 and76 are mounted on a supporting beam 77 and adapted to be operated by linkage 78. A pair of switch members 79 and 81 are mounted on the upper ends of the rotatable in-. sulator stacks 7 5 and 76. An inner end 82 of the switch member 81 is provided with a contact portion 83 which is movable between a pair of switch jaws 84 and 85, as shown in Fig. 10, when the switch is closed. The jaws 84 and 85 are pressed together by springs 86 and 87 which are supported at one end by'a block 88 and adjusted by means of tension bolts 89. The bodily movement of the unit which comprises the jaws 84 and 85, the

unit.

springs 86 and 87 and the block 88, is effected in the same manner as just described for the One of the side walls 62 may be preceding figures, across bar 91 being interposed between offset portions 92 and 93 of the switch jaws 84 and 85, respectively. The

bar91 may be connected at its ends by projections 94 and 95 to a mainbase member 96 which is secured to the switch member 79.

These parts may be protected by means of a housing 97 carried by the base member 96. -Fig. 10 shows the position of the movable ing operation into desired alignment with the co-acting switch member 81.

While I have shown two forms of embodimentio'f my invention, for the purpose of describing the same and illustrating its principles of construction and operation, it is apparent that various changes and modifications may be made therein, without departing from the spirit or" my invention. I desire, ther-eiore, that only such limitations shall be imposed thereon, as are indicated in the appended claims or as are demanded by the prior art.

I claim:

1. In a switch, the combination with a plurality of jaws, of spring means operative on said aws tending to maintain them in contact relation, tension-adjusting means for said spring means, said 'SGCOIldJIlQIltlOHQd means also serving as a guide for said jaws upona relative movement therebetween, and

supporting means in operative relation with said jaws and said tension-adjusting means, whereby said jaws may be moved bodily as a unit when a switch blade is inserted between the jaws which bears more on one of the jaws than on the other of said jaws.

2. A switch comprising a. pair of aws, supporting means provided with clamping springs for said jaws, a member extending through said springs and said jaws, and a supporting element for said jaws positioned at the extremities thereof, whereby a bodily movement of said jaws as a unit is afforded.

3. In a switch, a switch element comprising a plurality of jaws, means for maintaining said aws in operative relation comprising a pair of springs, a tension-adjusting element for said springs extending between said jaws, and a supporting member positioned intermediate the ends of said tension-adjusting element, whereby the bodily movement of said jaws and said springs is afiorded as a j 4. In a switch, the combination with a switch element comprising a plurality of jaws, of means for maintaining said jaws in contact relation including a pair of springs,

an adjusting element for varying the tension 'of said springs, said element also serving to guide said jaws upon a relative movement thereof, and a supporting member through which said element extends, said supporting member extending transversely through the jaws, said aws being loosely mounted thereon so that they may be bodily moved as a unit when a switch blade is inserted between said jaws.

5. In a switch, the combination with a plurality of jaws having transversely-extending portions intermediate their contact surfaces, of resilient means engaging said portions for maintaining said jaws in contact relation including a pair of springs, an adjusting element for varying the tension of said springs, said element also serving to guide said jaws upon a relative movement thereof, a supporting member for said springs, and asupporting member for said jaws through which said adjusting element extends, said jaws being loosely mounted thereon so that they may move bodily as a unit when a switch blade is inserted between said jaws.

WILLIAM R. HUTTINGER. 

